Overview

Lamed (Hebrew: ל, sometimes transliterated Lamedh) is the twelfth letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It represents the consonant /l/ and carries the numerical value 30 in traditional gematria. In modern Hebrew orthography it appears as a tall character whose upper stroke extends above the writing line.

Form and pronunciation

The letter is written ל in the square (Ashuri) script used for Hebrew today. It has no distinct final form (sofit), unlike several other Hebrew letters. Pronunciation is typically the lateral approximant /l/ in all positions. In Unicode the character is U+05DC.

Lamed derives from a Proto-Semitic pictograph thought to represent a goad or staff. From the Phoenician ancestor came the Greek letter Lambda (Λ), which in turn influenced the Latin letter L. The Arabic cognate is lām (ل), sharing both sound and common origin.

Grammatical and numeric uses

As a prefix (the preposition lamed, written l- or לְ) it marks direction, purpose or possession, roughly "to" or "for" in English. For example, lamed combined with a noun produces phrases like לְמֶלֶךְ (lemelekh), "to a king." Lamed also serves in Hebrew numbering and traditional texts to denote the number 30.

Symbolism and cultural notes

The Hebrew root למד (L‑M‑D) means "to learn" or "to teach," and lamed is often associated with study and instruction in Jewish thought. In mystical and liturgical contexts the letter can carry additional symbolic meanings related to learning and aspiration. For readers seeking broader context about the Hebrew alphabet see Hebrew alphabet.

Notable facts

  • Lamed has no final form but frequently extends above the line in writing.
  • Its descendant letters include Greek Lambda and Latin L.
  • It appears as a productive grammatical prefix marking "to/for."